Solo Hot-air Balloonist Tries To Regain Course

OTHER NEWS TO NOTE - MIDWEST

February 27, 2000

CHICAGO - Balloonist Kevin Uliassi descended nearly 10,000 feet over the mid-Atlantic early Saturday to get on course in his effort to make the first solo hot-air balloon trip around the world. Uliassi dropped his balloon from 24,000 feet to 14,800 feet to avoid an air current that would take him too far south, said his spokesman, Peter Fay. Uliassi later ascended to an altitude of 25,500 feet and was about 1,600 miles west of Africa, near the Tropic of Cancer. He is expected to reach the African coast on Monday.